Zhou Xuan's expression remained calm as he asked, "Do you have confidence in winning against me?"

  Zhou Xuan said: "I'm not sure, but there's always a chance. San Chi, you haven't eaten anything all day either, right? Why don't we go catch some wild game to roast and eat?"

  San Chi coldly laughed and said: "You still have an appetite for food, think about the pain of abandoning your family and becoming a slave for life soon, you won't be able to eat anything."

  Zhou Xuan said, "Oh, I see that San Chou has already become quite pessimistic. Don't be too pessimistic, being my sword slave isn't bad either. I won't treat you unfairly, and occasionally I'll even give you some precious puzzles to solve. My 'Jiū Qiū War Hall' is also in need of manpower, and I will let your three talents - 'sword, chess, and insect' - be fully utilized."

  The three fools stared at him coldly and said word by word: "Let's have a sword fight first."

  Lin Han Yun let out a soft "ah" and looked at Zhou Xuan with concern.

  Zhou Xuan's face showed no fear, and he said bluntly: "Brother, you've fallen to a lower level again. Our three gambles are earth-shaking and heaven-stirring, how can they be so hasty? Like a country bumpkin rolling up his sleeves and starting a fight! Before a real high-stakes gamble, both sides should adjust their essence, energy, and spirit to the best state, only then can they fully display their skills, only then can it be intense and exciting. I was careless earlier and fell into your trap, Miss Lin is already exhausted from climbing the mountain, her throat is parched and her eyes are dim. You're asking me to compete with you now? Why don't I just stand here and let you stab me to death with one sword?"

  "You don't have that many fart words, you just want to eat something, I'll give it to you." San Chi couldn't take Zhou Xuan's mouth and angrily turned back into the grass house. When he came out, he was holding two things in his hand. "Hoo, hoo" Two sounds were thrown at Zhou Xuan: "Eat, eat your fill and wait for death."

  Zhou Xuan's hands were quick and agile, catching them separately. They were two leather bags, one was a water bag, and the other had dried meat cut into square inches inside, but he didn't know what kind of meat it was. Zhou Xuan picked up a piece and took a bite, the taste was really good. It was chewy, he opened the wooden plug of the water bag, gulped down several big mouthfuls, then handed it to Lin Hanyun.

  Lin Han Yun furrowed her brow, pulled out a silk handkerchief and carefully wiped the mouth of the water bag.

  Zhou Xuan glared and said: "You still think I'm dirty! Don't drink it then, I haven't had enough yet."

  Lin Han Yun hastily held up the water bag with both hands and drank from it, choking in the process. Her small face turned bright red from coughing.

  Zhou Xuan pulled out a piece of dried meat, Lin Hanyin took a bite and said, "This is venison jerky."

  Zhou Xuan handed it over to Lord Li again, and Lord Li sat on the ground. He rubbed his legs with his hands, and his hands had regained their sensation. His feet were still numb, and he said weakly: "I can't eat, just give me a sip of water."

  The upper crescent moon casts a faint, clear glow downwards, the mountains are quiet and still, the trees are dense and lush, on the other side of the mountain cliff comes the huge roar of the waterfall, in the valley below, serenity and clamor coexist.

  Three fools stood in front of the thatched cottage, coldly watching Zhou Xuan and his two companions eating meat and drinking water. Zhou Xuan still had a self-satisfied look on his face, this kind of guy who doesn't shed tears until he sees the coffin is really rare.

  Zhou Xuan clapped his hands and said, "That's enough, let the gambling begin."

  Before his words had fallen, a flash of lightning flashed before his eyes, and with a "hiss" sound, a green-edged sword was inserted into the hard stone ground beside Zhou Xuan's feet, five inches deep.

  Zhou Xuan was startled and jumped up, shouting: "What are you doing? Are you trying to launch a sneak attack?"

  "You still want to ambush me? This sword is yours for now. Come on, let's have a fair duel."

  Zhou Xuan made a first pull, but it didn't budge. With both hands exerting force, he pulled again and finally pulled it out. Like an expert, he flicked his fingers and the sword body let out a "ding" sound. He said, "This sword is ordinary, not as good as the 'Three Stubborn Swords' in my mansion."

  San Chidao said: "Tomorrow I will come to your mansion to take back the sword."

  Zhou Xuan smiled and said: "Well said, it turns out you've already had a mindset of certain defeat."

  Three fools and one daze, asked: "What does it mean?"

  Zhou Xuan smiled and said: "You lost, became my sword slave, I will naturally return that sword to you, let you wear it."

  Lin Han's smile behind her was "cool".

  Three madmen reveal their fierce light: "Less nonsense, look at my sword――"

  "Hold on! You think it's interesting to have a sword fight first? I've never practiced with a sword, you'll just stab me through the heart with one move, what's the point of even playing Go or fighting insects afterwards?"

  The three fools indeed had no way to make a move, Zhou Xuan's sword was not even taken out this week, his whole body was vulnerable, and as long as one move passed, he would surely die. He said, "I won't kill you, I just need to defeat you."

  Zhou Xuan said, "That won't do either. As soon as you make a move, I'll be seriously injured at the very least. Am I supposed to spit blood while playing chess with you? A bloody game? The wager should be fair. Since you've decided on the method for the three rounds of wagers, I think the order of what we bet on first and last should be up to me. I believe the sword fight should come last."

  Three fools thought it was reasonable, sheathed their swords and also took back Zhou Xuan's sword, saying: "Alright, let's gamble on insects first."

  Zhou Xuan clapped his hands together: "I have no more tricks up my sleeve."

  The three fools showed a rare smile on their faces: "This time, let's make a special bet. We'll have a timed insect-catching contest, and the winner will be decided by the number of insects caught. It's a test of our skills, eyesight, and of course, luck."

  Zhou Xuan Zan said: "Not bad, this way"

  "I have the meaning, skill and eyesight, and I'm not lacking in good fortune either. However, this place is full of crickets, with the sound of waterfalls being so loud that even the insect chirps can't be heard."

  San Ci Dao: "Not far from here is an abandoned temple, where there are insects."

  Zhou Xuan carefully and cautiously showed off his advantages, saying: "Hold on, if you had secretly put a green-backed insect there beforehand and then pretended it was something you caught, how could I possibly compare with you?"

  ―

  Three foolish men have always prided themselves on being straightforward and upright, but when they met Zhou Xuan, they repeatedly doubted his character. In anger, he said: "I am a chivalrous swordsman, my words are trustworthy, my actions are decisive. If you dare to insult me again, don't blame me for not being polite."

  Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "As long as you keep your promises and act on them, that's great. You lead the way." In his heart, he thought: "Third Brother is also someone who doesn't like to read books. The Analects say 'speech must be sincere, actions must be resolute', but the next sentence is '??then what a petty person!' This means you're a petty person, ah! No culture is really pitiful, and being scolded by others still makes you feel self-satisfied!"

  One of the three fools grabbed Li Daren's waist from behind and lifted him up with one arm, taking big strides towards the mountain valley.

  Lin Han Yun naturally didn't want to stay here alone, so she held Zhou Xuan's hand tightly and followed closely.

  In the mountain valley, there is a narrow path like a sheep's intestine, not too difficult to climb. After crossing the mountain pass, I saw a mountain peak standing in front of me, like a giant Buddha. There are simple stone steps winding up the mountain, but they are severely damaged and some places are completely tilted.

  Three fools held one person, and went up like walking on flat ground. Zhou Xuan held a torch in one hand and pulled Lin Hanyu with the other, and the two of them carefully climbed up, having walked about 300 steps, just as their legs were getting weak, they saw a path slanting to the left side of the mountain waist. San Chou's voice came: "Over here."

  Zhou Xuan walked over and saw a Buddhist temple built on the edge of a cliff, with more than ten halls almost all collapsed, only the central Daxiong Treasure Hall was still standing there.

  San Ci said: "There are many crickets here, and there are also good insects. Someone once caught a green-backed good insect here. We'll split up to catch them, with the limit being when the sun shines on the temple tomorrow." As he spoke, he handed Zhou Xuan a leather pouch, and he himself had one in his hand as well.

  Zhou Xuan took a look and found a small shovel, a bamboo tube, and a net in the leather bag. These were the simplest tools for catching crickets.

  The three fools no longer bothered Li Daren and turned to the back garden of the Buddhist temple.

  Zhou Xuan didn't follow, instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wild fruit, which he had picked earlier on the mountain path. It was slightly larger than a hawthorn, and when he lightly bit into it, it was sour with a hint of sweetness.

  Lin Han said with a white eye: "Zhou Xuan, you don't go catch crickets, but eat some fruit first, hurry up, don't let San Chou catch all the good insects."

  Mr. Li looked at Zhou Xuan, his eyes filled with tears, and grabbed Zhou Xuan's hand, saying: "Master Zhou, this life is all thanks to Master Zhou, if Master Zhou loses, the three fools will really cut off my head, he's not joking."

  Zhou Xuan said: "I know he's not joking, I've also joined in, as a chess slave, Lord Li didn't hear that, it's not much better than beheading, I will go all out and bet on winning against San Chou."

  Mr. Li felt slightly relieved, gazing out at the surrounding mountains, which were as dark and ominous as a crouching beast, making his heart quail with fear. He now realized that even if he wanted to escape, he couldn't find his way back, and San Ci would definitely be more familiar with the route, so trying to flee would only lead to being caught and suffering physical punishment. With no other choice, he could only rely on Zhou Xuan, who was said to be very skilled at fighting insects and playing chess, although his swordsmanship might not be a match for San Ci's, but still had a good chance of winning two out of three times.

  But then, Zhou Xuan chewed the wild fruit to a pulp and spat it onto the opening of the bamboo tube. Then, he found a broken wall, placed the bamboo tube on it, and walked back to the front of the temple, stretched his waist and said: "Now it's probably not yet midnight, there's still time, I'll take a nap first and rest my spirit."

  The temple gate had a large bluestone, Zhou Xuan lay down on it with his hands behind his head, and began to enjoy the dried venison and water. After eating for a while, he filled up his water bag, and instructed Lin Huan and Yun: "You can eat the dried venison, but don't drink the water again, I have a big use for it later." After finishing speaking, he rested his head on his arms and closed his eyes.

  Lin Han Yun waited for a while, seeing Zhou Xuan motionless, thought: "You really fell asleep." She went forward and pushed Zhou Xuan: "Hey, what's wrong with you? You're willing to be a chess slave, but Lord Li still wants to keep his head."

  Mr. Li hastily said: "Yes, Master Zhou, catching insects before sleeping is not late."

  "Lord Li, Lin Huan's girl may not know any better, but do you think I'm sleeping? Can I sleep in such a tense and life-or-death gamble? I am thinking intensely. I'm not just thinking about this insect fight, but also the next Go game. Only these two games can I make a comeback. The sword fight is already lost, so let's consider it as having won one out of three gambles. We must win these last two games, and at this moment, using your mind is more important than using force. Do you understand?"

  Mr. Li said repeatedly: "Understood, Mr. Zhou, you continue sleeping - continue thinking."

  Zhou Xuan lay down on his side and said, "If I think too deeply and enter a meditative state, call me when you hear the crickets chirping all around."